Anyone had breast cellulitis turn into IBC?

Eigna

Hi ! I’m posting to wonder if anyone had a breast cellulitis that turned into IBC? I was diagnosed with breast cellulitis 8 days ago. I’m taking antibiotics. Redness and swelling has subsided but warmth is still present. My breast is a bit sensitive. Please note my treatments finished four months ago. I’m seeing my doctor tomorrow but just wondering if anyone with similar experience. Thanks.

MinusTwo

No - I think this very unlikely. As I posted on your other threads, cellulitis is often tied to lymphadema. I do hope your doc has some experience with LE and you can get base measurements. LE can be caused by surgery OR radiation.

Eigna

Minustwo - ok question: lymphedema on the breast, will it happen anywhere on the breast or where the incision took place? Cuz mine is no where the incision took place. It’s on the opposite side of the incision. Yes I hope my doctor has some good answers for me tomorrow. I will keep you posted. Thanks.

MinusTwo

LE has nothing to do with incisions. You can have it in your breast, your trunk, your arms, your hands - and for that matter your legs. I think I posted this link before, but here it is again. And note: most doctors have a total of 15 minutes of education/training about lymphadema in their 7-12 years of medical school - so most don't really know many details. That's why you need a referral to a certified, trained LEPT. Check out the link.

https://www.stepup-speakout.org/

Eigna

ok minustwo .. i went and checked the site. I’m starting to get convinced I have Breast lymphedema. My back too is a bit swollen. I’m pretty sure my hospital has a certified LE therapist. I remember the nurse talking about this at the beginning of my treatments. Will see what the doctor will say tomorrow. Will keep you posted. Thanks.

MinusTwo

good luck eigna. That is what I have - breast & truncal LE.

Eigna

Thanks Minustwo. For how long did you have it? How severe is it ? How often do you see you LE therapist ? Is it manageable? When did it appear in your case? Sorry for the questions... too many.

Eigna

So doctor told me to continue the antibiotics for another week. And to see her next Tuesday for a follow up. She didn't rule out lymphedema. We will discuss it further after end of antibiotics treatment. She said it is highly unlikely it's IBC because with the antibiotics it would get worse not better. What can I say.

MinusTwo

So I'll try to answer your questions.

I first had a BMX for DCIS with sentinel node biopsies. Yes, even just those can cause LE. Every doc said pooh-pooh. I found a doc who was in charge of LE and Wound care at a major hospital and he correctly diagnosed mild truncal & breast LE on the left. I learned how to do the massage and was fitted for a heavy duty Bellise Bra for flying and sleeves & gauntlets. At the time I was flying a lot - and always used them when flying. I stopped letting anyone draw blood or do blood pressure on the left side.

Fast forward 2 years - I had a recurrence & ended up with a full axillary lateral node dissection on the right. Because it was now IDC and HER2+, I had chemo first. Then surgery. Then more chemo. Then radiation. Then herceptin for the rest of a year. My RO (radiation oncologist) at MD Anderson was the one who caught the breast & truncal heaviness & swelling on the right and immediately sent me to their LEPT. This was one year after the ALND surgery. I went for instruction and treatment once a week for 6 months. Then I went once a month for the next 6 months. She tried several things (like kinesiotaping) and called in an occupational therapist to make sure I was on track. Then I still went back for a "tune up" every 3 months for another year.

And I got a WearEase compression bra to wear 24/7. They are very comfortable and high up on the back and the underarms. And was re-measured for sleeves & gauntlets for flying and repetitive activity. I've managed to keep the LE from progressing to my arms/hands - which was my goal.

It never goes away. In my case it's manageable, but lot of women have to wrap every night & use pumps to move the fluid. And it can appear any time - even 25 years after surgery or radiation.

Glad you're staying on the anti-b's. I actually have a prescription for antibiotics that I carry with me whenever I travel in case I get cellulitis. That can put you in the hospital in a hurry.

Hope this next week is better.

Eigna

Thanks for all that info Minustwo. When you were diagnosed with lymphedema...did you have swelling, warmth. redness and Peau d’Orange? Im mostly concerned about the peau d’orange... i still have it but the swelling and the warmth has subsided to some extent.

MinusTwo

Lymphadema can be flaring or just sitting there. Usually you would just have some swelling, but I'm told that can be quite painful. Because I got diagnosed early, I've never let mine go untreated.

LE does NOT necessarily go into cellulitis - but it can be quite dangerous when it does. Cellulitis (or another inflammation/infection) will cause redness, warmth & swelling. Hopefully you're following the antibiotic protocol - apart and aside from the LE diagnosis or treatment

exbrnxgrl

I’ll chime in on LE. As minustwo pointed out LE can appear in any number of areas and there is a range of how one experiences it. I have very mild LE along the underside of my upper arm. No one would notice anything but me so my swelling is minimal. But I do experience an achiness and occasional pain and redness in the area. That usually means I have to step up my self care routine.All the best

Eigna

Minustwo- yes I’m still taking my antibiotics. Redness is subsiding but not completely gone. Warmth is still present. Today I wore a better supportive bra just to see if I feel better regarding my skin. When I wake up in the morning I find my skin less thick. I don’t sleep with a bra. I’m wondering if my bra was restricting and causing the thickness and Peau d’Orange. I wonder what the doctor will say after I finish my antibiotics...on Tuesday.

Eigna

Anybody else with advice. I just hope it's lymphedema and not IBC ... it's been a rough couple of weeks. I just hope on Tuesday there's a plan in place for me.